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Thursday, September 13, 2012

DAR - Off to a good start

Big smile. Big
wave. Big “Hey!” That’s how Pam greeted Mary Jollette and me
at our preliminary meeting with the DAR.
I knew from the git-go Fort Nelson would be the right chapter for us.

First of all, Pam took us on a tour of the clubhouse and
explained some of the history of the chapter and character of the current
members.

Fort Nelson is one of the oldest chapters in the
DAR.

The house was a GIFT from the husband of one of
the charter members who served as Regent for over 20 years. He was tired of the women meeting in his
living room, so he built them a house.
Hmm, somebody had some money!

The sofa is from the Revolutionary War period.

from Google Images
This sofa is SIMILAR to the one in the clubhouse,
but the unadorned arms are square, not curvy.
It is upholstered in blue velvet.

Many of the furnishings are antique, some given
as gifts to the Chapter.

In the corner cabinet is an OLD blue and white
platter featuring three sparrows. It was
thought to have been used to serve George Washington when he was surveying the
Dismal Swamp, but research proved the platter was created after that time. Nevertheless, it is of the period.

They are trying to get rid of some old mule-ear
ladderback chairs by selling them for a donation of $100.

from Google Images
Fort Nelson's chairs are
in better shape.

Interesting artifacts include old maps and
cannonballs retrieved from Fort Nelson which had been built to protect the harbor
in colonial times.

The house enjoyed a makeover recently. The walls are a lovely yellow. The kitchen cabinets are painted white. The walls of the bathroom are papered in a
yellow and blue toile with bead board salvaged from the ceiling of an old
building in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Dusty dry-rotting valances have
been replaced with Plantation Shutters. New
oriental rugs were purchased from a catalog online. Nice, southern colonial vibe.

The members get along well, unlike some chapters
with snooty, snippy, catty in-fighting. Glad to hear that!

We sat down at the dining room table to go over our
lineage. Pam was impressed with our
organization. (Aw shucks ~ thanks, Pam!)
She projects based on what we know and have verified so far that we could be
approved and IN by the December meeting.
OMG – that’s pretty fast. Pam
LOVES the footwork. She gave us the form
to start filling out so that SHE can get started. SHE will actually help us fill in what we don’t
know for sure. Pam has helped find “supplements”
for members of the chapter. Supplements
are one’s “other” patriots. We will join
as descendants of Leonard Davis, but there are more patriots in our family
too. As Pam said, “If Sarah’s husband’s
father was a patriot, it’s likely her father was too.”

According to Pam, the DAR is most strict about the first
3 generations: you, your parents, your grandparents. Piece of cake! I have all the proof there for sure. Beyond them, I have quite a bit, but the
least definite information for the 5th through 7th
generations. However, Pam reassures me
that the clues are good ones and shouldn’t be difficult to verify.

Next time we’ll be given an interest survey. Pam said we can serve on any number of
committees or do nothing at all. We can
even be our own committee if we want to.

So I’ve been making copies of birth certificates, death
records, photos of tombstones, and census records and filling in the lineage
worksheet.

Not only has my handwriting
gone to H-E-Double hockey sticks, but also I’ve put dates where places should
be and one person’s information in another person’s slots. I need white out!

I’ve decided MY committee will be to put the worksheet in
PDF format fillable online.

15 comments:

What a great clubhouse. I think you may have found a great organisation. I love the fact that a husband built a house especially for the meetings because he was tired of the women meeting in his living room!

The member's side of the DAR website has the ability to email a fill-able PDF application form to prospective members. Would that help with not having to write it out for you? If so let me know and I will email it to you.

Sounds like a fun first meeting at the DAR! The history of the clubhouse is awesome! How cool that the husband of a Regent built the house. Are you allowed to take pictures inside the house? Those would be interesting to see. Congrats on your progress in joining the DAR.

Wendy, I'm so glad to hear your making good progress on your DAR application and could become a member soon. I applied last December, had to do some work to prove a relationship which I sent in a month or so ago. Our chapter regent has informed me that my application has been verified and should be approved in October! Yay! Now I have to start working on supplementals.

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About Me

My name is Wendy. About twenty years ago, I helped my mother research the Jolletts. Since retiring from teaching, I have expanded my research which I share here. When I’m not looking for my own family, I index for FamilySearch and the Greene County Historical Society.
Welcome to Jollett Etc. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. If you have more information or believe we are related, EMAIL ME at wendymath at cox dot net